31 Great Rhyming Books For Your Emerging Reader

The rhyming books in this post are perfect for your emergent reader, and you will love them too!
Rhyming skills are so important for new readers. Children need to be able to understand the concept of rhyming when developing their phonological awareness skills.
This concept of rhyming can be a difficult one to learn at first. Children often have more trouble hearing sounds at the ends of words. These rhyming books will help your child become familiar with rhyming which is an essential pre-reading skill.
And, if you are looking for more reading readiness tips and books, head over to our Hub for all things related to reading readiness.
*Rhyming Books Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
The Best Rhyming Books for Pre-school

Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
Gerald is a giraffe who wants to dance but things that is can’t. Thanks to a friend who encourages him, Gerald finds a way to embrace his differences.
Why I Love It: I absolutely love this book about following your heart and being true to yourself. The bonus of rhyming makes this book that much more special. This is one of the children’s books about being different that I was happy to read over and over.
Appropriate For Ages: 2-4
Find This Book In: Animal Books / Books for a 4-Year-Old / Rhyming Books

Goodnight Construction Site by Sherry Duskey Rinker
Little kids love construction vehicles. Is there a better way to start bedtime than a rhyming contraction book? I think not. This delightful bedtime story for 2-year-olds is the first in a series.

But Not the Hippopotamus
Author: Sandra Boynton
Illustrator: Boynton
Year: 1982
Genre: Board Book
Age: 1 – 4
Plot
Animals are all playing together- cavorting in a bog, drinking juice etc. and the hippo is not joining them.
Why Jackie loves it
I loved reading this with my kids. It is utterly ridiculous and completely wonderful. One of my oldest son’s first words was “armadillo!” It is a perfect classic children’s book.
Find this book in: Animal Books for Kids / Books for a 1-year-old / Rhyming Books / Classic Books for Kids

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Author: Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault
Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
Year: 1989
Genre: Board Book
Age: 1 – 4
More info: Chicka Chika #1
Plot
Rhyming? check. Letters? check. This classic book checks so many boxes with the added bonus that it is fun to read with your kids. Even the name itself is a perfect example of alliteration in books.
Why Jackie loves it
If you have not picked up yet, it is a must-read for any preschool child and a perfect book to help with reading readiness as well.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books / Rhyming Books / Books for a 1-year-old / Alliteration Books / Classic Books for Kids

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
Wait and see what we have in store for you in September. We love Llama llama. He has so many lessons to teach in such a sweet way.

Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
There are so many things about this books that I adore. Bear’s friends are so wonderful and supportive of him and he is so sweet and gentle. This book also has wonderful vocabulary.
Great Kindergarten Rhyming Books

If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen
I cannot count the number of times I have read this book and it will never be enough. The imagination of the wonderful Chris Van Dusen never ceases to amaze me. This book is the one that started out love of this amazing author. If you have not read this, what are you waiting for?

Princess Bess Gets Dressed by Margery Cuyler
I am usually not the first person to jump at a princess book. But this one is different. Princess Bess takes her duties as a princess very seriously but, she has another side to her as well.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
This book is another classic in our house. Mouse proves that a little bit of brain is all you need when faced with a whole lot of muscle. We adore this rhyming wonder.
Why I Love This Book: Not only is this book written in rhyme, but it is funny as well. It also has a very strong message about brains vs. brawn as well as bullying.
Appropriate for Ages: 3-7
Find This Book In: 31 Great Rhyming Books For Your Emerging Reader / Best Books for a 4-Year-Old to Develop Pre-Reading Skills / Animal Children’s Books / Best Books for a 5-Year-Old Getting Ready to Read

Rhyme Crime by Jon Burgerman
The rhymes in this book create simple humor that are not only funny but will give you child a chance to guess what the word thief will do next.

The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith
I cannot read through this book without cracking up. It is completely hilarious and makes zero sense. It has great rhymes, is repetitive and will keep your little one (or big one) paying attention and laughing along with you.

Stretchy McHandsome by Judy Schachner
We love our butterscotch kitty and so this book was a no brainer. Stretchy McHandsome finds his perfect girl with humor, love and rhyme. Who could ask for anything more.

The Circus Ship by Chris van Dusen
As a circus ship is headed toward Maine, it encounters a storm and begins to sink. The animals who are left to fend for themselves make it to safety and become part of the town.
When the horrible owner of the circus comes looking for the animals, he encounters a surprise.
Why I Love This Book: This book about a sunken circus ship is not only funny, but it is heartwarming as well. Chris Van Dusen is a master of rhyme. The rhyming scheme in this book is fantastic which only adds to the delight of this animal book
Appropriate for ages: 4+
Find This Book In: Animal Book for Kids / 31 Great Rhyming Books

Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beatty
I love Iggy Peck and all his friends. They are smart, funny, and independent thinkers. Not only does this book put a spotlight on being yourself but, the rhymes and vocabulary are nothing short of spectacular.

Room on the Broom
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Year: 2003
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 8
Plot
A friendly witch takes to the night on her broomstick, but as the wind blows away her hat, her bow, and her wand, she finds some cute friends to join her on her ride. Will her friends be able to save her from a hungry dragon? This classic Halloween book for kids is now a cartoon movie!
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a year-round book in my house. The sweet tale by Donaldson and the fun illustrations by Scheffler will have this on your favorites list long after Halloween is over!
Why Jackie loves it
The wonderful rhymes in this book tell the story of friendship and inclusivity. This is one of my favorite books to promote reading readiness.
Find this book in: Witch Books for Kids / Halloween Picture Books / Halloween Movies Based on Books / Rhyming Books / Dragon Books for Kids
Books with Some Rhymes

Giant Jumperee by Julia Donaldson and Helen Oxenbury
I wanted to include books that had some rhymes without the whole book rhyming. This book has the least amount of rhymes in the book but I wanted to include it because of how adorable it is.

Sheep in a Jeep
Author: Nancy E. Shaw
Illustrator: Margot Apple
Year: 2016
Genre: Board Books
Age: 1 – 3
Plot
These sheep are driving and get stuck in the mud. The entire story does not rhyme but there are many rhyming words from the same word family. It is funny and perfect for a young reader. Everyone in my family can still recite every word of this one!
This is a perfect book to include in a list of children’s books with alliteration because there are a few examples in this hilarious and silly book.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a perfect book to include in a list of children’s books with alliteration because there are a few examples in this hilarious and silly book.
Find this book in: Alliteration Books / Books for a 1-year-old / Rhyming Books

Shark in the Park by Phil Roxbee Cox
The Usborne Phonics Readers are some of my favorite books for developing phonological awareness. Fat cat, big pig and pup are all concerned that there is a shark in the pond at the park.
Are you looking for more books to help develop phonological awareness? You can check out our post here.

Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
These dust bunnies love to rhyme and are quite excellent at it- except for Bob. He cannot quite seems to get it right. Your child will love to giggle as Bob tries to rhyme. It will also give them a chance to recognize the odd bunny out. sheep
Classic Rhyming Books

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
This book is one of my favorites of all time. There is something about the little girls in two straight lines that reminds me of my childhood. The rhythm and rhyme are perfect for any age.

Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg
This rhyming book follows all the classic nursery rhymes on their adventures. Tom Thumb, Three Bears and Mother Hubbard are all here in this delightful story.

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
At 60 years old, this book is a classic that has withstood the test of time. The rhyme, rhythm and repetition in this book makes it so easy to remember and predict what is going to happen.
The silliness and the story make it enjoyable for parents to read.

Plot
The rhythm of the story and the non-sensical rhymes make the book completely captivating. A boy and a bear head out on an adventure to pick berries in this delightful classic kids’ book. Marshmallow Cattails? Waffle and butter lily pads? Yes, please!
As a bonus, there is counting and alliteration in this picture book. No list of books for kids would be complete without this adorable read.
Why Kirsten loves it
This was my favorite book to read to her kids and as soon as you look at the pictures and start reading it, you will understand why. I have a video of reading this to my son when he was 4 months old and his face lit up as I read it. It will forever be in my home.
Find this book in: Alliteration Books / Counting Books / Rhyming Books / Best Board Books / Kids Food Books / Best Books for a 1-year-old

Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak
The set of books by Maurice Sendak was turned into a play called Really Rosie. You can find the music and sing along. Not only does this book rhyme but it teaches months of the year as well.

Fox in Sox by Dr. Seuss
Another book by Dr. Seuss, this is a book on tongue twisters that will leave you wondering what is a tweedle beetle and why are they battling? Bending brooms, Mr. Knox and chicks with bricks will leave you laughing every time.
Poetry Books

Pizza the Size of the Sun by Jack Prelutsky
My younger son never loved to listen to chapter books. But, he would listen to me read him poems for hours. We love this book of poetry and go back to it time and time again. Even now that he is in middle school, we will sometimes read a few poems together because they are so much fun.

I’m Just No Good at Rhyming by Chris Harris
This book has been requested by multiple children, multiple years as the book to read in class when I am the guest reader. Not only do my kids love it but, the kids in the class ask my kids if I can bring this book to read it. I absolutely love this book of poetry and this it is perfect from age 6-106.

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein is the one who started it all, in my opinion. He paved the road for other poets to write poetry for children to enjoy. The drawing and the humor make this book a classic.